Did Colombian Gangs Threaten to Kill a World Cup Player Again?
Inside the death threats that kept Jáminton Campaz from flying home after the World Cup, and why the country cannot escape the ghost of Andrés Escobar.
In the 114th minute at BC Place in Vancouver on July 7, Colombia’s World Cup came down to one touch. A defensive error by Switzerland’s Granit Xhaka let the ball run loose, and it broke to Jáminton Campaz, the Rosario Central winger who had just come on as a substitute, with a clear sight of goal.
Campaz, who had scored on his World Cup debut against Uzbekistan three weeks earlier, blazed the shot over the bar.
And while Campaz converted his penalty in the shootout, it didn’t matter and Colombia went out 4-3.
On the evening of July 8, a charter carrying the Colombian squad left Vancouver for Bogotá, landing at around 3 a.m. Colombia time. National icon James Rodríguez was on board, as were his teammates.
Campaz was absent.
The next morning, journalist Camilo Pinto revealed how Campaz's social media had been flooded with abuse since the final whistle.
Among the messages, one stood out.
